Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 262: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Down the ramp from the kitchen came a swirling ball of fur, and after it came Creepy, whaling lustily with his broom. The ball of fur separated, became two identical cats, tails five times normal size, backs bristling, eyes glowing with green fury. “| jus’ got tired of holding that dang ol’ Mathilde—” Creepy panted. “I know,” said Craig. “So you chucked her into the refrigerator with the other cat” “| sure did,” confessed Creepy, “and hell busted loose right underneath my nose.” “All right,” Snapped Craig. “Now, Page, if you’ll tell us which one of those is yours—” Page spoke sharply and one of the cats melted and flowed. Its outlines blurred and it became a Candle, a tiny, pale-pink Candle. Mathilde let out one soul-wrenching shriek and fled. “Page,” said Craig, “we’ve never wanted trouble. If you are willing, we’d like to be your friends. Isn't there some way?” Page shook his head. “No, Captain. We're poles apart. | and you Nave talked here, but We've talked as man to man rather than as a man and a person of my race. Our differences are too great, our minds too far apart” He hesitated, almost stammering. “You're a good egg, Craig. You should have been a Candle.” “Creepy,” said Craig, “open up the lock.” Page turned to go, but Craig called him back. “Just one thing more. A personal favor. Could you tell me what’s at the bottom of this?” “It’s hard to explain,” said Page. “You see, my friend, it’s a matter of culture. That isn’t exactly the word, but it’s the nearest | can express it in your language. CORniclooo SS CO